Massage is defined by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) as "the kneading, stroking and manipulation of the soft tissues of your body-your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments." The stretching and loosening of muscle and connective tissue can benefit your circulation, posture, flexibility, alertness and immune system.

"Massage helps relieve stress by relaxing a person, helps decrease blood pressure by calming a person and helps increase blood circulation, which in turn brings nutrients into, and removes waste products from, the muscles," says Jon Kobel, admissions director of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy.

Deep-tissue massage uses slow strokes and deep finger pressure to combat aching muscles. A stiff neck or a bad back are ideal candidates, [Peter] Rubnitz says. A deep-tissue massage can hurt. Sports massage is a combination of stretching and Swedish or deep-tissue massage performed before or after strenuous exercise.